(MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH PERTH, ON) Around Christmas time a Listowel resident attended the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Detachment to report a scam he fell victim to.
The resident received an automated telephone call from a company claiming to be Air Miles Canada. The message stated that he had won a prize consisting of thousands of reward miles. The resident followed the instructions required to claim the prize. He spoke to a person who informed him that he was the winner of 260.000 air miles which could immediately be used at a Mexican Resort. He had to supply his VISA credit card number to allow for the linking of the air miles to his credit card. He was advised to keep an eye on his air miles account as the 260.000 miles should be credited within a week.
After thinking about the call, the resident became suspicious and went on-line to check his VISA card transactions. He noted that a single $1,200 transaction had been made during the time he as dealing with the scammer.
The resident contacted his bank who cancelled the VISA card but he was told that he was on the hook for this transaction as he willingly gave out the number.
The resident knows that his money will never be recovered but wanted to make others aware of this scam so they can avoid being a victim.